A pre paid funeral plan is an important product to purchase. However, you should take your time in choosing the right funeral plan and provider for you. Plans vary widely in terms of what is included and the cost and payment duration available, so it’s important you conduct plenty of research to find the best funeral plan for you before committing. We take a look at some factors you should consider before purchasing the best-prepaid funeral plan for you.
Make sure the provider is registered with the Funeral Planning Authority (FPA). The FPA is an organization which has been set up by the funeral industry to regulate providers operating in the UK prepaid funeral market and protect consumers. Any provider registered with the FPA has illustrated they can work to the high standards set out in the strict code of practice and have submitted their finances and company procedures for review.
When searching for the best funeral plan to suit your needs, we recommend looking for a funeral plan provider registered with the FPA. Not only will you receive extra protection, buying a plan through a registered provider will allow you to access to an independent dispute resolution process should you have any problems with your provider.
Funeral plans versus guaranteed over 50s policies. Many people have savings set aside to cover their funeral costs. But with very low-interest rates and the rising costs of funerals, there is no guarantee the money you have saved will cover your funeral costs in years to come. Others often look to guaranteed over 50s insurance policies, however, the majority of these policies only offer a lump sum payment at the time of your death. These insurance policies do not cover your funeral director’s costs which in turn, could leave your family with additional costs to cover at an already difficult time.
A funeral plan takes into consideration how you many can afford to pay and how often. We understand not everyone can pay for their funeral plan in a full. That’s why with a prepaid funeral plan from our partner Golden Charter, you can choose a payment option to the best suit your budget. From low-cost monthly installments and fixed monthly payments to 12-month terms and paying in full, there are payment types to suit you.
Although funeral plans tend to guarantee the funeral director’s services included in the plan, your choice of plan should be based on what is included in the plan.
For example, a basic plan may only include a simple coffin and a hearse, whilst another may include bereavement services, high quality or superior coffin alongside limousines for your family members or mourners. When choosing your funeral plan, we recommend evaluating which plan best suits your requirements.
Above all, before selecting a funeral plan provider, you should consider the type of funeral you want. Having a funeral plan can provide your family with useful information about where you want to die, whether you would prefer a burial or cremation or have a preference over flowers, hymns, readings or music you would like to have at the service, many funeral plans to allow your wishes to be documented.
In doing so, this provides you with the peace of mind that you have shared your final wishes and can be a comfort to your loved ones that they have given you the send-off you wanted.